ON MY OWN PORTRAIT

And yet—the face shall pass As a shadow ’cross the grass; As the shadow of a bird-wing Spread a moment in the sun; As the light-blown dust that dances In the wind and whirls and glances Mote-wise in a passing sunbeam, When the Sand of Fate is run. Out of silence—here and hither; Into silence—whence and whither Still unanswered; still unmapped The road the feet have come and gone. Heart of fire, soul aspiring; Spirit daring, strong, untiring— Is the unmapped Road to Silence All that ye and Life have won? Ah! but there was still the fight! Darkness—and the search for light! Road unmapped—but fearless going Out upon the journey—knowing Naught and daring all. As ye will then, weigh and measure; Count the gain and hoard the treasure— But the Fight was more than all.